Free toolchain software for linux

ROCK is a Distribution Build Kit. You can configure your personal build of ROCK and easily build your own distribution (see the screenshots). Rock Linux is software for managing operating environments. In a way it is a software development toolkit for building OS solutions.
The available config options include, but are not limited to:
Package Selection
You can select the packages you want to have in your Distribution. So packages you dont want or need are not build at all. A list of available packages can be found here.
Compiler and Optimization
You can select a compiler (by default gcc3) and optimization options for building your distribution. That enables you to highly optimize for your hardware. You can also build your entire distribution with the GCC Stack-Smashing Protector enabled for enhanced security.
Dietlibc
You can use dietlibc instead of the GNU LibC as your C library. That can be very useful e.g. for embedded systems.
And much more ...
Other options are: selection of an init-style, custom GNU configure options, cross-building, and much more. A major focus in the ROCK development always has been to make adding new features and config options as easy as possible.
Enhancements:
- Packages can be forked (gcc=gcc3, gcc=gcc4) to reduce code duplication.
- Packages can be split (gcc, gcc:doc, gcc:dev) to reduce necessary filesystem space after installation.
- Postinstall scripts can be run to setup the application after installation rather than after compilation.
- Every ROCK script now has a -help text.
- udev has replaced devfs.
- Toolchain compilation for cross-builds has been made easier.
- Cluster Builds, Pseudonative Builds, and Cross Builds have been made easier.
- Lots of other improvements were made, and practically all of the 1600 packages were updated.

nwbintools is a machine code toolchain containing an assembler and various related development tools. The project will thus be similar to GNU binutils, but no attempts are made to duplicate its functionality, interfaces, or organization.
nwbintools has been under development (on and off) since January 2007. It was written from scratch in C, and version 0.1.1 has just been released under the (revised) BSD license. Full source code is available from the download page.
At present, the tool collection only consists of the assembler - nwasm - and a simple program to dump some basic ELF object file information. However, in the future nwbintools is probably going to be extended with a new linker, disassembler, and other binary file analysis tools.
nwasm is currently x86-only, 32bit-only, and ELF-only. There are lots of other bugs and limitations as well. See the bugs page for details. The current goal is to get nwasm to work well with the code generated by the nwcc C compiler, which already works to a considerable extent because that code is very simple and doesnt use many obscure x86 features.
Hopefully future releases will support the complete x86 instruction set as well as multiple other architectures, and allow for seamless cross-assembling.
Enhancements:
- This release extends the assembler with support for most instructions from x87, MMX, SSE, SSE2, and SSE3.
- However, support for various system-level and post-486 instructions is still missing.
- Various critical bugs related to labels, relocations, and wrong section sizes were fixed.
- Performance has been doubled.

Free60 Gentoo LiveCD Xenon is a liveCD for Linux on the Xbox 360. It is based on the experimental gentoo liveCD that can be found here:
http://gentoo.mirrors.pair.com/experimental/ppc64/livecd/
It has a few changes to boot on the Xbox 360 (codename xenon).
How does it work ?
Burn gentoo-livecd-xenon-beta-v2.iso. Upload the cdreader binary via serial, or use the new king kong patcher with built-in readcd code, this will open the dvd tray. Put the gentoo-livecd-xenon-beta CD in the drive. cdreader will automatically start the xell bootloader located at lba 0x20 on this cd and boot the Linux Kernel.
Thanks to stonersmurf for the compilation of the liveCD.
Where to find more info on Linux for Xbox 360 :
http://www.free60.org/
Free60 is a project towards porting GNU/Linux, BSD, Darwin and related open-source operating systems to the Microsoft Xbox 360 video game console.
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox360 (and probably some more) are registered trademarks by Microsoft Corp. No affiliation between the Free60 Project and Microsoft Corp. exists or is implied. All other trademarks and copyrights are property of their respective owners.
The new Live CD supports all Xbox 360 consoles with firmware versions 4532 and 4548 and can be run without affecting the consoles normal functionality. It contains the latest free60 patches against the Linux kernel 2.6.21 and ships with a full Gnome desktop environment, including applications like Firefox and Evolution. It also offers an entire 64-bit PowerPC compiler toolchain for developers.
Free60 is a project towards porting GNU/Linux, BSD, Darwin and related open-source operating systems to the Microsoft Xbox 360 video game console.
Enhancements:
- New 2.6.21 based kernel
- Improved networking support
- Improved framebuffer kernel level support
- Supports Toshiba-Samsung drives, now

LLgen is a LL parser in the style of yacc.
The Amsterdam Compiler Kit is fast, lightweight and retargetable compiler suite and toolchain written by Andrew Tanenbaum and Ceriel Jacobs, and was Minix native toolchain.
The ACK was originally closed-source software (that allowed binaries to be distributed for Minix as a special case), but in April 2003 it was released under a BSD open source license.
The ACK achieves maximum portability by using an intermediate byte-code language called EM. Each language front-end produces EM object files, which are then processed through a number of generic optimisers before being translated by a back-end into native machine code.
Unlike gccs intermediate language, EM is a real programming language and could be implemented in hardware; a number of the language front-ends have libraries implemented in EM assembly.
EM is a relatively high-level stack-based machine, and one of the tools supplied with ACK is an interpreter capable of executing EM binaries directly, with a high degree of safety checking. See the em document referenced below for more information.
ACK comes with a generic linker and librarian capable of manipulating files in the ACKs own a.out-based format; it will work on files containing EM code as well as native machine code. (You can not, however, link EM code to native machine code without translating the EM binary first.)
Enhancements:
- LLgen was previously part of the Amsterdam Compiler Kit, but has been split out into a standalone component.
- This version has been updated from its original 1991 vintage source and has a completely rewritten, much more streamlined build system.

Sflack Linux is based on Slackware Linux disrtibuition. Sflack Linux is a UNOFFICIAL port of Slackware to the x86_64 architecture. This means is:
- It runs nicer on an amd64;
- It is *not* called Slackware, or any direct derivative;
Do not bug Patrick Volkerding with bug reports. Sflack is not his responsibility.
Sflack isnt a multi-lib distribution, which means that you cannot run 32-bit applications easily.
The Official Release of Sflack Linux by Vincenzo Ingrosso would want to be an advanced Linux operating system, designed with the twin goals of ease of use and stability as top priorities. Including the latest popular software while retaining a sense of tradition, providing simplicity and ease of use alongside flexibility and power, Sflack brings the best of all worlds to the table.
Originally developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991, the UNIX-like Linux operating system now benefits from the contributions of millions of users and developers around the world. Sflack Linux provides new and experienced users alike with a fully-featured system, equipped to serve in any capacity from desktop workstation to machine-room server. Web, ftp, and email servers are ready to go out of the box, as are a wide selection of popular desktop environments. A full range of development tools, editors, and current libraries is included for users who wish to develop or compile additional software.
Sflack Overview
Sflack Linux is a complete and pure 64-bit multitasking "UNIX-like" system.i Its currently based around the 2.6 Linux kernel series and the GNU C Library version 2.4 (libc6). It contains an easy to use installation program, extensive online documentation, and a menu-driven package system. A full installation gives you the X Window System, C/C++ development environments, Perl, networking utilities, a mail server, a news server, a web server, an ftp server, the GNU Image Manipulation Program, Firefox Web Browser, plus many more programs. Sflack Linux can run on amd64 systems all the way up to the latest x86_64 machines (uses -m64 optimization for best performance on amd64-class machines).
Enhancements:
- This release uses the latest kernel, KDE 3.5.7, XFce 4.4.1, HAL automounting for desktop users, an updated toolchain, and many other enhancements.

The Amsterdam Compiler Kit or in short just ACK, is a fast, lightweight and retargetable compiler suite and toolchain written by Andrew Tanenbaum and Ceriel Jacobs, and was Minix native toolchain. The ACK was originally closed-source software (that allowed binaries to be distributed for Minix as a special case), but in April 2003 it was released under a BSD open source license.
The ACK achieves maximum portability by using an intermediate byte-code language called EM. Each language front-end produces EM object files, which are then processed through a number of generic optimisers before being translated by a back-end into native machine code.
Unlike gccs intermediate language, EM is a real programming language and could be implemented in hardware; a number of the language front-ends have libraries implemented in EM assembly. EM is a relatively high-level stack-based machine, and one of the tools supplied with ACK is an interpreter capable of executing EM binaries directly, with a high degree of safety checking. See the em document referenced below for more information.
ACK comes with a generic linker and librarian capable of manipulating files in the ACKs own a.out-based format; it will work on files containing EM code as well as native machine code. (You can not, however, link EM code to native machine code without translating the EM binary first.)
Installation:
To install the ACK, you need to download the source package and compile it.
Version 5.6 compiles cleanly on Linux, but it has had little testing so far. The installation instructions are complex but straightforward provided you follow the instructions. Please read the README; it provides a detailed walk-through of the compilation process, telling you what to type at each stage.
Enhancements:
- Support has been added for generating CP/M binaries using the 8080 code generator.
- The various optimisers have been beaten into shape, and its now possible to use them on all platforms; a basic peephole optimiser has been set up for the 8080.
- The floating point system has been confirmed working on the pc86 and linux386 platforms.
- ANSI compatibility has been improved, binary sizes have been reduced, and there are many bugfixes everywhere.

OpenPCD is a free and open RFID reader reference design platform. The OpenPCD firmware is software that runs in OpenPCDs AT91SAM7 ARM controller, and connects the RFID reader hardware (CL RC632 ASIC) with the Host PC via USB. The Firmware includes a custom USB device stack and drivers for the various embedded AT91SAM7 components. The firmware itself does not run on Linux, but it only works with a Linux host PC talking to it.
OpenPCD is a free hardware design for Proximity Coupling Devices (PCD) based on 13,56MHz communication. This device is able to screen informations from Proximity Integrated Circuit Cards (PICC) conforming to vendor-independent standards such as ISO 14443, ISO 15693 as well as proprietary protocols such as Mifare Classic. Contactless cards like these are for example used in the new electronic passports.
The intention of the OpenPCD project is to offer the users full hardware control of the RFID signal and to provide different output signals for screening the communication. With already existing Free Software from the OpenMRTD project for implementing the PCD side protocol stack of various RFID protocols, this project will happily extend the free toolchain around RFID verification.
Enhancements:
- This is the initial version of the firmware.
- It supports basic RFID reader functionality for the ISO14443A.

With this package, it is easy to modify the GeeXboX in a few seconds without having to build the sources.
The generator produces an ISO image of the GeeXboX, ready to be burned on disc.
GeeXboX ISO Generator currently works under both GNU/Linux and Microsoft Windows 9x/NT/2k/XP operating systems.
Enhancements:
System:
- Updated linux to version 2.6.16.17.
- Updated BusyBox to 1.1.3.
- Updated uClibc to 2006.05.05 snapshot.
- Updated udev to version 0.92.
Toolchain:
- Introduced GCC 4.1.1 as the new compiler.
- Support for C++ in the toolchain.
- All packages are now built with big files support flag.
- Added support for non-free binary firmwares at sources build.
Player:
- Updated MPlayer to 1.0pre8.
- DVD Navigation Menus support.
- SHOUTcast and Netstream support (with content filtering on adult/subscription-only
- streams).
- Support for LIVE555 library (RTP/RTSP/SIP streaming) which provides FreeboxTV
- support for French people using the Free ISP.
- Use mp3-lib instead of FFMpeg to avoid audible glitches while seeking.
- Fix MPlayers bug which prevents AVI files with ODML index (99% of XviD files) to
- be read when idx=yes (default).
- Fix sound/subtitles issues while playing MPEG-TS streams.
- Support for multichannel AAC in MOV files.
- Playback of IFO files (DVD disc ripped on HDD for example) now works as expected.
- Set minimal cache size (5% of cache) to start playback of file very quickly.
- Fix TV channel OSD name generation with spaces in their name.
- Allows RTSP clients port forcing (for FreeboxTV users in router mode for example).
- Added support for DVD-RAM MPEG files.
Menu:
- Brand new menu item selection display (now with alpha layer).
- Added new menu that displays streams A/V properties.
- Allows metadata retrieval from MP3/OGG/FLAC audio files.
- Properties menu auto-opens and updates on audio-only media.
- Prevent user from browsing (and getting lost) in /
- Display NICs MAC address into information menu.
- Display CDROM size.
- Fixed display of disks partition size and freespace.
- Added release number information.
Audio:
- Update ALSA library and utilities to version v1.0.11.
- Added a lot of fixes for audio playback.
Video:
- Added support for different resolutions to be used through generator.
- Support for VESA with Intel i865, i910 and i915 chipsets.
Drivers:
- Added support for Serial ATA CDROM drives.
- Added support for ATAPI/IDE ZIP/LS120 drives.
- Added support for PcCard (32bits CardBus only, not 16bits PCMCIA).
- Added LCD displays support through LCD4Linux.
- Added support for most of the Gigabit NICs.
- Fix support of Nova DVB-S+ card.
- Updated LIRC to v0.8.0.
- Updated rt2400/rt2500 drivers to CVS 05.09.2006.
- Fix em8300 driver and firmware loading issues.
Networking:
- Updated djmount to version 0.53 (files are no more represented as playlist).
- Fixed bftpd FTP server write access error.
- Updated bftpd to version 1.4, and included fix for file transfers greater than 2GB.
- Update wireless tools to version 28.
Generator:
- Updated generator tools for MacOS X (support for MacIntel x86 OSX 10.4).
- Allow you to choose between multiple themes.
- Option for DVD Navigation menus to select it as a default or not.
- Option for autoplay to select it as a default or not.
- Option for SHOUTcast (radio and tv netstreams).
- Tab for video settings configuration (resolution, color depth and boot splash)
- Tab for support of LCD displays.
Miscellaneous:
- Fixed zoomed scrolling in FBI image viewer.
- Support for Microsoft Media Center Edition USB, StreamZap, Twinhan DTV, Toshiba
- VT76F and ATI Remote Wonder II remotes.
- Implemented full Digimatrix hardware support (apart from panel buttons).
- Allow multiple resolutions in themes.
- Support for VMware and QEMU (usefull for test purpose).